Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji on Thursday ordered a high-level probe into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the P K Kalan Housing Scheme for Scheduled Tribes.

According to a statement, the alleged irregularities pertain to construction works carried out under the scheme at Alappuzha district in the local bodies of Punnapra, Mararikulam, Mannancherry and Aryad, besides Alappuzha municipality.

The minister directed the constitution of an inquiry committee headed by Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) Additional Secretary Leena N T to review all stages of the project, from the tender process to the execution of construction works, the statement said.

The committee will also include civil engineering or structural experts to assess the quality of construction and evaluate the damage, officials said.

The panel has been directed to submit its final report within 30 days.

The minister also ordered the committee to examine whether anyone had attempted to shield those responsible for the alleged irregularities and to recommend stringent legal and disciplinary action against agencies and officials found responsible for corruption or lapses, officials said.

Shaji further directed that if similar housing schemes had been implemented under any other name in other districts, those projects should also be brought under the ambit of the inquiry.

A separate report on such projects has been sought within three months, officials said.

The minister has also instructed Principal Secretary Tinku Biswal to oversee the follow-up action in the matter, the statement added.

As per the LSGD website, the PK Kalan scheme was launched in 2018 for the development of scattered tribal families in Kerala.